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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Thursday, May 10, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Cape Lookout NS Nor'easter Pounds Park Beaches During the four-day period from May 5th through May 8th, the park was pounded by a severe nor'easter that caused washover all along its beaches. When the storm abated, park staff conducted condition assessments of beaches and facilities and found possible storm damage in several locations. Large quantities of Styrofoam were found on the beach from Cape Lookout to Ocracoke Inlet. The Coast Guard was contacted and it was determined that a container ship had lost nine containers that had gone overboard during the storm. Reports were also received of Styrofoam on the beaches at Cape Hatteras. A meeting will be held with the Coast Guard this morning to set up ICS and began a possible 46-mile plus cleanup operation. [Wouter Ketel, Public Information Officer] Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP Major Raid On Marijuana Plantation This year's first major raid on illegal marijuana growing in Sequoia National Park took place on Tuesday, May 8th. More than 17,300 immature marijuana plants and a large nursery capable of producing thousands more were eradicated. Two arrests were made in connection with this operation, with more arrests anticipated pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing, but preliminary evidence indicates that the marijuana grow sites raided yesterday are similar to those established by organized Mexican drug cartels that have been found in these parks since 2001. “As the growers have changed their tactics, so have we. These parks have a focused strategy which involves more park personnel and includes the addition of a narcotics-detection dog,” said JD Swed, the park's chief ranger. “The National Park Service is committed to protecting these national treasures and this wilderness for the American people. We will do what it takes to stop this degradation of our natural resources.” An NPS tactical team made up of rangers from several national parks participated with local park rangers in yesterday's raid. A helicopter unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, based out of Riverside, California, provided air support. Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and evidence of weapons were found in the grow areas. An extensive infrastructure was also found, including several camps, enough gear and food for several people to live on site for extended periods of time, and an irrigation system using thousands of feet of hose. Since 2001, more than 141,000 plants have been eradicated from Sequoia National Park. Few visitors tend to use the areas targeted by these grow operations due to extreme heat, poison oak, steep drop-offs and lack of developed trails. Anyone with information about illegal activities or who would like to report suspicious activity in the national parks should call 1-888-NPS-CRIME (888-677-2746). You may speak directly to a ranger or remain anonymous when reporting these activities. [Alexandra Picavet, Public Information Officer]
OTHER NEWS The following stories can be read on either the InsideNPS web site (if you are within the National Park Service) or at the InsideNPS public ‘news digest' site (if you are outside of the NPS). The web sites appear below: Colonial NHP - Tens of thousands will gather for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown over this coming weekend. The three-day event will cap a decade of planning and feature new cultural exhibits and presentations, educational forums, costumed historical interpreters, festivals, and special performances by a variety of nationally and internationally recognized artists. Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service. Risk Management - Glen Canyon NRA has been awarded the 2006 Andrew Clark Hecht Public Safety Award for it superior work in preventing water sports injuries nationwide. Fire and Aviation Management - Stephen J. Botti, fire program planning leader, has decided to retire after working for 36 years within the National Park Service. Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services - The National Park Service has issued an announcement for several GS-1811-11/12 criminal investigators, with duty stations at locations around the country. To see the above articles, go to InsideNPS ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/) or NPS Digest ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/). For NPS incident reporting standards, go to HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-426-2430). --- ### --- |